Level 1 Japanese Reader for Classroom Use

This Level 1 Japanese Reader Class Set & Online Flipbook combines printed readers with interactive online flipbooks to create engaging and accessible Japanese reading lessons for the whole class.

Teachers who purchase this Class Set & Online Flipbook Pack receive a choice of printed readers and password-protected access to the matching online flipbook on our website. Display the reader on an interactive whiteboard, a projector, or a classroom screen while students follow along in their own books.

Want to learn more about the reader itself?
Explore the Level 1 Japanese Reader – たこ (Kites) for more information about the story, language features, reading level, and book details.

🪁 Discover Traditional Japanese Kites!

Introduce students to the colorful world of traditional Japanese kites through authentic photographs and simple, repetitive Japanese.

This Level 1 Japanese Reader features beautiful handmade kites shaped like the twelve Japanese zodiac animals. Students read short, predictable sentences while learning animal vocabulary and discovering a unique aspect of Japanese culture.

Authentic photographs, repetitive language, and strong visual support make this beginner Japanese reader ideal for whole-class teaching, guided reading, independent reading, and extensive reading (tadoku).

🎯 What Students Will Learn

Students will practice:

• Reading and understanding simple, repetitive Japanese phrases
• Learning the names of the twelve Japanese zodiac animals
• Building beginner Japanese animal vocabulary
• Developing reading confidence through repetition
• Using authentic photographs to understand meaning
• Discovering a traditional Japanese cultural activity

👩‍🏫 Why Teachers Choose This Class Set

• Printed Japanese readers for every student
• Password-protected online flipbook for classroom display
• Ideal for interactive whiteboards, projectors, and shared screens
• Supports whole-class, small-group, and independent reading
• Encourages speaking, prediction, and classroom discussion
• Free access to supporting learning resources
• Designed by an experienced Japanese language teacher for engaging, confidence-building reading lessons

📚 Class Set Options

Choose from:

• 10 printed readers
• 15 printed readers
• 20 printed readers
• 25 printed readers

Each Class Set includes password-protected access to the matching online flipbook.

📖 Reading Level & Book Details

This Level 1 Japanese Reader is designed for complete beginners who are starting to read simple Japanese sentences.

Japanese Reader Level: Level 1
Recommended for: Complete Beginners
Text Type: Repetitive descriptive text
Language Focus: Short Japanese phrases and animal vocabulary
Vocabulary Theme: Japanese zodiac animals, colors, and traditional kites
Cultural Theme: Traditional Japanese kites and Japanese culture
Script: Hiragana with carefully selected beginner vocabulary
Character Count: 221
Pages: 17
Product Type: A5 saddle-stitched booklet
ISBN: 978-1-925808-14-8

✅ Perfect For

• Primary and elementary school Japanese programs
• Students beginning to read Japanese
• Beginner Japanese learners
• Whole-class teaching
• Guided reading
• Independent reading
• Vocabulary building
• Classroom libraries
• Extensive Reading (Tadoku)

 Teaching & Learning Resources

Every reader includes free access to our Resource Library.

Resources for this reader include:

•  Audio recordings narrated by Mariko Sensei
•  English translation
•  Quizlet vocabulary activities

Coming Soon: We’re currently creating the Reader Resources for Kites. Audio recordings, the English translation, and Quizlet vocabulary activities will be available soon.

💜 Why Choose Mariko Sensei’s Japanbooks?

Every reader is carefully designed by Mariko Sensei, an experienced Australian Japanese teacher with over 40 years of teaching experience.

Our Japanese graded readers combine authentic Japanese, real-life photographs, carefully leveled language, and extensive reading principles to help learners build reading confidence while discovering Japanese language and culture.

Unlike traditional textbooks, the readers encourage students to enjoy reading naturally through meaningful repetition, visual support, and authentic cultural experiences.

In Kites, students discover one of Japan’s traditional pastimes through handmade kites featuring the twelve Japanese zodiac animals. Simple, repetitive Japanese and vibrant photographs help beginning learners experience the satisfaction of reading Japanese independently while exploring Japanese culture.

 Explore More Japanese Reader Packs

Continue your Japanese reading journey with our carefully graded Japanese Reader Packs.

🌱 Beginner Hiragana Readers Starter Pack (Levels 1–3) — A gentle introduction to reading Japanese for beginning learners.

🎒 Primary & Elementary School Japanese Readers Pack — Engaging Japanese graded readers for young learners, with authentic photographs, visual support, and Japanese cultural topics.

🚀 Advanced Japanese Readers Pack — More challenging Japanese readers for learners ready to develop their reading skills further.

📚 All Japanese Readers Pack — Explore the complete collection of carefully leveled Japanese readers.

 Important Information

This Class Set is designed for use by one school or educational organization.

Online flipbook access is password-protected and is supplied with the purchase of an eligible Class Set. Access details must not be shared publicly or distributed outside the purchasing organization.

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